The PGA Tour is set to introduce a number of no-cut, limited-field events to its 2024 schedule as it continues to battle it out with LIV Golf at the top of the professional game.
The Tour will host eight designated events with field sizes set between 70 and 78 players, with the usual midway point cut also scrapped. The American-based circuit confirmed the changes had been approved by its Policy Board on Tuesday, with commissioner Jay Monahan informing players via a letter.
The change-up is the latest in the PGA Tour's efforts to fend off the threat of LIV Golf, work that circuit's two leading names Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have featured heavily in.
Many have been quick to criticise the new schedule, that draws great similarities to the schedule of their rivals at LIV. McIlroy however has defended the overhaul, claiming no-cut events have been around on the PGA Tour a long way before the formation of the Saudi-backed series.
Speaking at this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, he said: "The only reason no-cut events are a big deal is because LIV has come along but there is precedent for no-cut events. There's been no-cut events since I've been a member of the TOUR and way beyond that as well.
“Is there maybe going to be a few more of them? Maybe. That's not been decided yet. But if we do go down that path there's precedent there to argue for no-cut events. It keeps the stars there for four days. You ask Mastercard or whoever it is to pay $20m dollars for a golf event, they want to see the stars at the weekend.
"They want a guarantee that the stars are there. So if that's what needs to happen, then that's what happens.” One man who hinted at the schedule switch last month is 82-time PGA Tour winner Woods. Discussing the idea upon his return at the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago, Woods commented: "We are in the process of figuring all that out and it's been a variety of different models.
"Different opinions, trying to figure out what is the best product and competitive environment and what we should do going forward.
"Yes, limited fields, what's the number. Cuts? Yes or no. What's the number, what do we go to. How many players are playing the event? OK, what is the ability to get into the designated events?"
What are your thoughts on the PGA Tour's changes? Let us know in the comments section below.
Amongst the Tour's critics have been LIV stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. The former tweeted: "So.. Do away with the WGC’s. Load the OWGR in your favour. Create 10 limited field events for just PGA tour members(like WGC’s). Add to that 4 majors, Players,FedEx cup. That’s a full schedule for a top player. That’s growing the game."
And Poulter was quick to join in, as he added: "Oh my my my…. When will the penny drop with so many of what’s actually happened here. It really doesn’t take a [rocket scientist] to work out. And sounds very similar to another product that’s been spoken so badly about by Media and commentators. I’m all ears now I’m waiting."
